Continuity mistake: In the bar scene near the beginning, when Iceman is talking to Maverick about Cougar, the camera is facing Mav and he has the beer bottle up to his mouth. It switches views in the next shot with the camera behind Mav, and he is not drinking. Then the view switches back to facing Mav, and the beer bottle is back up to his mouth and he's drinking from it.
Other mistake: When they go into the flat spin, Maverick is unable to pull the ejection handle due to high Gs. But in the F-14, there is an alternate ejection handle between the legs of the pilot.
Suggested correction: He is pinned forward, which is a peculiarity of the F14 as the pilot sits more aft than say an F/A18. Doesn't matter where the ejection handle is, he physically can't reach it.
Continuity mistake: In the scene in the airport after Maverick quits, Charlie tells him, "you've got that maneuver down real well," and it cuts to a close-up of Maverick. Movement is seen in the shiny wall behind him, which is a reflection of Charlie standing up. It cuts to a wide shot of both of them seated. Then she stands up to say, "So long, Pete Mitchell."
Continuity mistake: Maverick and Charlie are having lunch. The wine hasn't been served, but the wine bottle spins between close-up shots with the label half shown to fully showing. (01:00:45)
Other mistake: Maverick and Goose were reprimanded at the beginning of the film and told, "you are number 2, Cougar is number 1. Cougar lost it and turned in his wings. You guys are number 1." This implies that Cougar and Merlin were going to Topgun. However, during their assisted carrier landing led by Maverick, their canopy is shown, and those inside are already wearing Topgun patches. This contradicts the statement given during the reprimand in the CAG's office previously mentioned.
Factual error: Maverick's total disregard to follow orders, land his plane when instructed too, plus his dangerous stunts while flying would immediately result in him being grounded, going before the naval board, and possibly having his flight status taken away for his disobedience. And he certainly wouldn't be chosen or invited to go to any TOP GUN school.
Visible crew/equipment: During Cougar's standoff with the MiG, Maverick comes in to assist him. Right after he says "I'm on my way" a few cuts happen then we see the right (or starboard in the Navy) of Maverick and Goose's F-14 along with the canopy. A camera can be seen in front of the copilot, onto of his instrument console.
Continuity mistake: Iceman's jet gets hits twice on two different occasions in the final dogfight segment. The hits were in the same portion of the jet. The goof is that the particular portion of the jet was magically clean again (no holes) just prior to the 'second-time' hit. That's because they used the same 'prop' for both the first and second hits - simply filmed from different angles. (01:36:53 - 01:37:24)
Continuity mistake: While having dinner with Charlie Mav puts his left hand next to his chin, but it disappears a shot later.
Continuity mistake: Charlie shows up while Mac is studying his flying moves. His hand is raised holding a pencil. From the opposite angle it's lowered. (00:36:10)
Continuity mistake: When the guys stop singing you've lost, check the waiter behind Charlotte. He turns around, gives his back to her and smokes. A shot later he's turned 180° and is now facing her.
Visible crew/equipment: When the pilots are introduced to Viper check the TV behind him. A huge white screen used for lighting is reflected.
Continuity mistake: Right before the pilots know who Charlie really is, the mechanics inspecting the plane behind change positions between the first and second shot. (00:22:51)
Continuity mistake: At the bar during the 'You've lost that loving feeling' part someone has his hand on Goose's shoulder or not depending on the shot. No continuity.
Deliberate mistake: During the final dogfight, Maverick tells Merlin he's going to "hit the brakes" then when Maverick gets a good lock on the enemy he fires. The shot of his last missile firing is a flipped shot, note "VF-213" is backwards. (01:38:50)
Continuity mistake: When Maverick does the go around to assist Cougar in landing, Cougar has on his left side a TOPGUN patch which is not present when he presents to the CO/CAG post flight. Cougar is also seen with a mask on in this scene when all other shots show Cougar with mask off during the landing. (00:11:23)
Character mistake: In the elevator scene the elevator stops and a commander steps in wearing his hat. Hats are only to be worn inside unless a person is under arms.
Continuity mistake: At the bar, when Goose and Ron are talking Goose's beer is held down, but a shot later he's drinking from it.
